Ehrlich and Schroeder. Medical Terminology for Health Professions, 9 th ed. chapter 15

albumin/o

albumin, protein

calc/i

calcium, lime, the heel

-centesis

surgical puncture to remove fluid

creatin/o

creatinine

fluor/o

glowing

glycos/o

glucose, sugar

lapar/o

abdomen, abdominal wall

lingu/o

tongue

-otomy

cutting, surgical incision

pyret/o

fever

radi/o

radiation, x-rays

-scope

instrument for visual examination

-scopy

visual examination

son/o

sound

ultra-

beyond

acetaminophen

analgesic that reduces pain and fever but does not relieve inflammation.

acupuncture

a traditional Chinese medical practice using very thin acupuncture needles inserted into specific points of the body to restore the flow of qi

adherence

also called compliance; the patient's consistency and accuracy in following the regimen (directions or rules) prescribed by a physician or other health care professional.

albuminuria

the presence of the protein albumin in the urine.

analgesic

refers to the class of drugs that relieves pain without affecting consciousness.

antipyretic

medication administered to prevent or reduce fever.

arthrocentesis

"surgical puncture of the joint space to remove synovial fluid for analysis to determine the cause of pain or swelling in a joint."

auscultation

listening for sounds within the body, usually performed with a stethoscope.

bacteriuria

the presence of bacteria in the urine.

bruit

an abnormal sound or murmur heard during auscultation of an artery.

calciuria

the presence of calcium in the urine.

computed tomography

"a scan that uses a thin, fanshaped x-ray beam that rotates around the patient to produce multiple cross-sectional views of the body."

contraindication

a factor in the patient's condition that makes the use of a medication or specific treatment dangerous or ill advised.

creatinuria

an increased concentration of creatinine in the urine.

echocardiography

an ultrasonic diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the structures and motion of the heart.

endoscope

a small flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end

fluoroscopy

the visualization of body parts in motion by projecting x-ray images on a luminous fluorescent screen.

glycosuria

the presence of glucose in the urine.

hematocrit

a blood test that measures the percentage, by volume, of a blood sample occupied by red cells; this test is used to diagnose abnormal states of hydration.

hematuria

the presence of blood in the urine.

hyperthermia

an extremely high body temperature.

hypothermia

abnormally low body temperature

idiosyncratic reaction

an unexpected reaction to a drug that is peculiar to the individual

interventional radiology

the use of radiographic imaging to guide a procedure or confirm placement of an inserted object.

intradermal injection

the administration of medication by injection into the middle layers of the skin

intramuscular injection

the administration of medication by injection directly into muscle tissue.

intravenous injection

the administration of medication by injection directly into a vein

ketonuria

the presence of ketones in the urine.

laparoscopy

visual examination of the interior of the abdomen with the use of a laparoscope.

lithotomy position

an examination position in which the patient is lying on the back, face up, with the feet and legs raised and supported in stirrups.

magnetic resonance imaging

an imaging technique that uses a combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create signals that are sent to a computer and converted into images of any plane through the body.

ophthalmoscope

an instrument used to examine the interior of the eye.

otoscope

an instrument used to visually examine the external ear canal and tympanic membrane.

palliative

a substance that eases the pain or severity of a disease but does not cure it.

parenteral

taken into the body or administered In a manner other than through the digestive tract.

percussion

"a diagnostic procedure designed to determine the density of a body part by the sound produced by tapping the surface with the fingers."

perfusion

the flow of blood through an organ.

pericardiocentesis

the puncture of the pericardial sac for the purpose of removing fluid.

phlebotomy

the puncture of a vein for the purpose of drawing blood.

placebo

an inactive substance, such as a sugar pill or liquid, that is administered only for its suggestive effects.

positron emission tomography

"an imaging technique that combines computed tomography with radionuclide tracers, usually inserted into a vein, to produce enhanced images of selected body organs or areas."

prone position

a position in which the patient lies face down on the abdomen.

proteinuria

the presence of an abnormal amount of protein in the urine.

pyuria

the presence of pus in the urine.

radiolucent

the substance, such as air or nitrogen gas, allows x-rays to pass through and appears black or dark gray on the resulting film.

radiopaque

a substance that does not allow x-rays to pass through and appears white or light gray on the resulting film.

rales

abnormal crackle-like lung sounds heard through a stethoscope during inspiration (breathing in).

recumbent

any position in which the patient is lying down.

rhonchi

a coarse, rattling sound somewhat like snoring, usually caused by secretions in the bronchial airways.

Sims’ position

an examination position in which the patient is lying on the left side with the right knee and thigh drawn up with the left arm placed along the back.

single photon emission computed tomography

a type of nuclear imaging test that produces 3D computer-reconstructed images showing perfusion through tissues and organs.

speculum

an instrument used to enlarge the opening of any canal or cavity to facilitate inspection of its interior

sphygmomanometer

instrument used to measure the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries.

stethoscope

an instrument used to listen to sounds within the body.

stridor

an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound caused by a blockage in the throat or larynx.

subcutaneous injection

the administration of medication by injection into the fatty layer just below the skin.

transdermal

the administration of medication through the unbroken skin so that it is absorbed continuously to produce a systemic effect.

transesophageal echocardiography

an ultrasonic imaging technique that is performed from inside the esophagus to evaluate heart structures.

ultrasonography

the imaging of deep body structures by recording the echoes of sound wave pulses that are above the range of human hearing; also known as ultrasound.

urinalysis

"the examination of the physical and chemical properties of urine to determine the presence of abnormal elements."

Ambulation

the way the patient walks, including gait, any unsteadiness, or possible difficulty

temporal artery

forehead

systolic

the first beat heard

diastolic

the last beat heard

heart murmur

abnormal heart sound that is most commonly a sign of defective heart valves

ac

before meals

ad lib

as desired

bid

twice a day

NPO

nothing by mouth

pc

after meals

po

by mouth

prn

as needed

qh

every hour

qid

four times a day

Rx

prescription

c

with

Synergism

the interaction of two drugs taken together that enhances the effectiveness of both

paradoxical reaction

the result of medical treatment that yields the opposite of normally expected results

PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter)

frequently used for a patient who will need IV therapy for more than 7 day